Rocketown Records to Release Ultimate Music Makeover: The Songs of Michael W. Smith on August 205 July 2005

(Franklin, TN… 05/31/05) - Rocketown Records announced today the August 2 release of Ultimate Music Makeover: The Songs of Michael W. Smith, a new album that features many of today’s modern artists offering their versions of classic Michael W. Smith hits. From his first moments bouncing around stage as Amy Grant's opening act to his current position as the Christian music community's de facto worship leader, the man who founded and owns Rocketown Records has proven again and again that great songs transcend place and time.

The Ultimate Music Makeover: The Songs of Michael W. Smith takes classic Michael W. Smith songs and gives them a “new do.” The disc includes 10 of his hit songs from the past re-interpreted by many of today’s creative, young talents, including Michael’s eldest son Ryan. Michael W. Smith enthusiasts are guaranteed to love the new arrangements and nostalgic flair while younger fans of Christian music will bet with certainty these songs were just written.

Rocketown Records founder and Chairman Michael W. Smith, who recently heard the project that salutes his songwriting prowess, said, “When I first heard about this project being planned, I thought it sounded fun but really didn’t have a lot of preconceived expectations. I have to say that when I finally heard the project I was blown away. I love the artist line-up and thought it was great that they each got to pick whatever song they wanted to do. There are songs on the project that I couldn’t have anticipated. Who ever thought there would be a cover of ‘Lamu’?!?! I’m really thrilled with how the tracks turned out. The record is definitely fun, but it’s also really great to hear some great young artists make over some of the old material. They definitely breathed some life into some classic old tracks.”

Rocketown President Don Donahue said, “No matter what era or style or time, great songs stand up year after year. To hear these songs that I grew up with given a new twist by some of today’s great artists is a very fresh way to tip our hat to Michael and Debbie, Wayne Kirkpatrick and all the great writers of these songs. The soundtrack to my teen years can now be the soundtrack to my son’s teen years. How cool is that? Not many artists have that sort of staying power.”

Ultimate Music Makeover: The Songs of Michael W. Smith includes the following tracks and artists:

All Star United - “Go West Young Man”

Sarah Kelly - “You Need a Saviour”

Shaun Groves - “Rocketown”

David Crowder Band - “Secret Ambition”

Taylor Sorensen - “Lamu”

Todd Agnew - “On the Other Side”

Tree 63 - “Missing Person”

Ryan Smith - “The Race Is On”

Plumb - “Pray for Me”

Stryper - “Friends”

The album’s first radio single, “Go West Young Man” from All Star United, goes for adds at CHR and Rock formats on June 17. All Star United frontman Ian Eskelin, who also produced the Sarah Kelly track, said, “In 1990, when ‘Go West Young Man’ released, All Star United was barely even a twinkle in my eye. Overwhelmed by the imminent end of the decades-long Cold War, I spent most of my time in my Wheaton College dorm room growing my bangs and learning the chords to dreary Depeche Mode songs. I first heard ‘Go West Young Man’ at a Chuck E. Cheese world wide web debut party when my mobile phone weighed 25 lbs. and came with its own backpack. I now own the song as a ring tone.”

Grammy Award-winner Michael W. Smith and former Reunion Records A&R chief Don Donahue started Rocketown Records in 1996 with the goal of building a label around a foundation of great songs and a family atmosphere. Since its launch, Rocketown has garnered commercial and critical acclaim with more than 2.5 million units sold, more than two dozen No. 1 songs and more than 60 Dove Award nominations.